Morning all; waiting for another minute or two while Mr. Coffee finishes gurgling – very distracting at 4:45. While waiting, let me share this quote:

The greatest lie man has ever told himself is that “not losing” is the same as “winning ~ Josh Denny

There, now coffee is ready, let’s get started.

Tonga news – All week our whole family has been scanning for news from Tonga and the eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano and what is referred to as a “once in a millennium event.’

The eruption was so massive that even astronauts aboard the International Space Station spotted the resulting dust cloud and were able to photograph it.

After attempt upon attempt, all week long, late last evening Tevita and Adrianne finally posted this news: “Update: Tevita was able to talk with his brother and get positive updates on other family members. Still so much recovery, but a relief to know they are safe. Communication is still spotty so keep trying for those eager to hear.”

Don’t stop with your prayers for those in that country and their losses and with thanks for the ongoing rescue efforts.

Only a Drone – We have rules and we have laws. Plus we have the CIA and the FBI. Plus we have the FAA. The FAA? Yup, drone flying over a filled stadium is ‘verboten’ and carries a $30,000 to $50,000 dollar fine. Someone flew over our stadium at last week’s playoff game and got some excellent footage. They haven’t been caught – yet.

Bill our artist friend – Our longtime friend Bill M., now well past age 90, loves the paint ‘Dead Airplanes’ (those of WWII vintage). Bill moved East last year to be closer to his daughter.

But it was Bill who sparked my interest in reading about a painter named Graig Kreindler. See, Graig paints ‘Dead Baseball Players’. Two of his works I thought you might appreciate. One is of Ted Williams when he was a 20-year old rookie about ready to debut at Yankee Stadium.

The other painting is a work in-progress of pitcher Sandy Koufax beginning what would become a no-hitter against Philadelphia in 1964. Wonderful works. Enjoy and appreciate!

Doctors emerging – Covid-19 and the harsh pandemic power grabs with accompanying restrictions had thousands of Doctors, Scientists, and specialists ‘hunker’ down for their own job safety and security – tow that line! Now that much of what was promulgated and now starting to be debunked, these folk are beginning to raise their heads. This from one such individual, Vinay Prasad, MD MPH; “Something is deeply broken with our Covid policy if the more vaccine doses you get in your arm, the more layers of mask you wear, the more restrictions you face.”

Hegelian Dialectic – Look up the definition of; ‘Hegelian Dialectic’. Oh, heck, let me save you a little time. Hegelian Dialectics; “refers to the creation of a problem. The problem creates a reaction. If there is enough fear and hysteria people will not only accept the solution that limits their rights but will actually beg for it”.

Want real world examples? Just look around at civilized nations such as Canada or Australia. The advancing of more and more by authorities often is accomplished by first isolating groups of people who are labeled ‘undesirable’. Past examples include Venezuela, and Germany in the 1930s leading into WWII.

Start thinking of places like Quebec where getting medical attention or even shopping requires showing a “Vaccine Passport”. But here? In our country? This video from NY City and has a 9-year old taken in for trying to gain entry at the Museum of Natural History – without a vaccination card.

Desert – Last evening, facing a very cold night, Marcia made a favorite old Dutch dish: Boerenkool Stampot (Kale Hash) with smoked sausage. Comfort food at its best! What came a little later for desert was a total surprise especially with such a presentation. The best!

Quote of the week – This after a two-hour meandering Press Conference complete with ‘word salad’ earlier in the week:

”Nothing built, nothing is back, and nothing is better” ~ Kam Bree

Fini –
• Bernice King; “My mother wasn’t behind my father. Where does that come from?” A reflection on the March from Selma on Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday holiday.

• The Grammy Awards are being moved to Las Vegas. Possibly so that members of this most elite body can avoid California’s Covid mandates which they’ve promoted?

• Our newest teenager is over-the-moon with her new platform shoes, a gift from her BFF, Eliana.

• Barely mentioned in the news is that the other very cold day saw over 100,000 people marching peacefully in DC as part of the annual March for Life. Now that science has advanced and is challenging (actually its ‘negating’) what was known back in 1973, I believe we’re watching the beginning of the end for Roe v. Wade. I am more than glad, especially as a grandparent of a now thriving young person who began her entry into the world at well under 2 pounds. All life is precious, all life matters.

• My favorite ‘Meme’ of the week. This is a classic!

• Growing up I remember climbing around a home being built and jumping from the rafters hitting a board with a nail in it – it went through my shoe and foot. The solution of the era was a cleaning of my foot and watching the little glass applicator of the purple stuff being swabbed about. After a scream, band aids were applied, clean socks put on, and I was sent outside (limping a bit). Was it a different time?

• The Texas synagogue terrorist attack was a 24-hour news story – notice a difference between this and some other ‘attacks’?

• Happy birthday today to nephew Joel. And tomorrow to Cathy. Cathy’s we’ll celebrate with brunch at a nearby Taste of Belgium — I do believe they also have Goetta on the menu,

This afternoon we’ll watch the home team beat some wannabe football players from Nashville.

Have a wonderful new week and stay positive, be healthy, and continue to be connected.

Best till next weekend.

Dirk – droning on